FAQs

General
1. Why choose Powersmart?
2. Is a Powersmart grid connected solar system environmentally friendly?
3. Does Powersmart do the design and installation of all your systems?
4. Is Powersmart accredited?
5. What is grid connected solar?
6. Does a grid connect system use batteries?
7. What is a grid connect system with Back-up?
8. Does a grid connect system shut-down automatically when grid power is unavailable?
9. How do I choose which system is best for me?
10. Is a solar pv system a wise investment?
11. What are the financial returns of a grid connect solar system?
12. How can I reduce the amount of power in my home so I can buy a smaller grid connected solar system?
13. Do you provide Solar hot water systems or heat pumps?
14. Do you install on all types of roofs?
15. Will my roof orientation and roof slope affect my solar system performance?
16. What do the solar panels look like on a typical roof?
17. If I’m building a new house and the grid is a long way away, should I pay to bring the lines in or install an off-grid system?
18. How much does a solar system cost?
19. What are the warranties for the panels, inverter and workmanship/installation and who is responsible for the warranties?
20. Can solar power systems be insured?
21. How much experience do you have as installer?
22. What Australian standards does the inverter meet?
23. What Australian standards do these panels meet?
24. Do your inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)?
25. What type of panels do you install and what is the difference between them?
26. Does the weight of the panels put too much pressure on the roof?
27. Can the solar panels withstand hail?
28. Can solar panels resist strong winds?
29. What is the difference between monocrystalline, multicrystalline (or polycrystalline) and thin film solar modules?
30. What is the difference between kW and kWh?

Government Incentives
1. How do I qualify for the Government rebates?
2. What happens with the carbon credits?
3. What is a FIT (Feed-in Tariff)?
4. What is Net Metering?

Installation
1. Is it easy to install?
2. How long does it take from commitment to finalisation and energy production?
3. Do you need to do a site visit to finalise the quote?
4. Is your meter box suitable?
5. Can I keep my current electricity retailer?
6. Does the mounting system allow airflow under the panels to help cool them?

Owning a solar power system
1. Can I still use all of my electrical appliances?
2. Will I still have power if there is a grid power outage?
3. What will my electricity bill / rebate look like?
4. If my system generates exactly the electricity that I use do I have to pay tax on that usage or is it only on the payment for the surplus sold back to the grid that I am taxed?
5. Can I see how much electricity my system is producing?
6. Do the systems require maintenance?
7. Could you advise of the potential costs of up-scaling?
8. How long will my system last?

General Questions and Answers

1. Why choose Powersmart?

We use only top quality, A-grade solar modules from reputable suppliers, with industry leading warrantees and performance characteristics.

Our systems are built to last! We use only marine grade aluminium and stainless steel hardware for our roof mounting systems.

We receive an average of 9.5 out of 10 for customer service and satisfaction.

2. Is a Powersmart grid connected solar system environmentally friendly?

Yes. Grid connected solar is quite possibly the cleanest way to produce electricity. Powersmart’s systems will last for more than 25 years without significant maintenance. During the system's life it will require no fuels other than sunlight and will produce no emissions. Every home that buys a grid connected system will be offsetting the need for carbon emitting gas fired and coal power plants. Have a look at the Environment section to read more.

3. Does Powersmart do the design and installation of all your systems?

• We do all the designs of our systems.
• Installations are done by our in-house team of installers.
• In some special instances we do recourse to independent contractors for the installation of your system.

4. Is Powersmart accredited?

• We are accredited by the Clean Energy Council
• You can find us on the CEC website in the list of approved designers and installers under Shane Robinson and Dean Parchomchuk (Both senior engineers at Powersmart Solar)

5. What is grid connected solar?

Grid connected solar is a solar photovoltaic system without batteries. Your home is hooked up to both the national grid and your Powersmart solar system so you will always have electricity available at the flick of a switch even at night, or if it is cloudy. You can install a system of any size and you will only ever be billed if your power consumption in excess of the amount you are generating. By being grid connected with solar, you may never have to pay a power bill again!  Click here to find out more>

6. Does a grid connect system use batteries?

It depends. Typically, our grid connected systems do not typically use batteries, however we do offer grid-connect systems with back-up for customers with special requirements. Batteries are generally quite expensive and require regular maintenance. The electricity grid acts as a 100% efficient maintenance free battery while also providing unlimited ‘on demand’ energy. This is what makes grid connected solar so attractive. It has all of the benefits of being attached to the electricity grid but without the continually rising cost of electricity.

7. What is a grid connect system with Back-up?

A grid connect system with back-up is a system that includes extra components for when grid power is unavailable, in this instance the solar system automatically changes to behave like an off-grid system. This set-up provides your home with uninterrupted power regardless of the grid and is recommended for those who need a back-up system for medical reasons or for areas that commonly experience power outages. However, most people find that a grid connect system usually fulfils their power usage requirements.

Should you want to include a back-up to your grid-connect system, we will need to include a battery bank and other components to a standard grid connect system, this roughly adds a minimum of $10,000 to the system cost and is contingent on your back-up requirements. To provide an accurate quote for your back-up system, you will need to fill out our energy audit form and send it back to us so we can quote you for a complete system that suits your power needs.

8. Does a grid connect system shut-down automatically when grid power is unavailable?

Yes. Grid connect systems are required by law to automatically shut down once grid power becomes unavailable. Inverters have a built in function to turn themselves off when the grid goes down. This safety requirement ensures that no electricity is being fed back into the grid and as a result allows workers to safely work on the lines without any risk of electrocution.

9. How do I choose which system is best for me?

There are a few things you should consider when you are trying to decide what size of a system you are interested in, you should base your solar system purchase on the following in order of priority:
-    1.) your budget;
-    2.) your available roof space;
-    3.) the amount of electricity you consume (kWh) per year or your yearly electricity bill amount ($) you want to offset.

Our quotes provide you with enough information to give you a general idea of our system capabilities. One of our sales agents can provide you with some further insight and advice should you want further guidance in finding a system that will suit your needs and targets.

10. Is a solar pv system a wise investment?

Your purchase of a solar system is an investment that generates returns for you. The rates guaranteed by the government make this a secure and highly profitable for a specific period; depending on your location, there are very few investments currently available that compare to this.  Therefore you can pick any system size and your only restrictions should be your budget or your roof space.

In addition to your financial returns, there is also your contribution to the environment to take into consideration. Your solar system will reduce your reliance on a coal and gas powered grid and reduce your carbon footprint.

11. What are the financial returns of a grid connect solar system?

The return on investment is very high and guaranteed by the government thus very secure. The numbers are skewed to be higher on a smaller system as you are receiving REC’s (renewable energy credits) only on the first 1.5kW portion of the system thus making a smaller system much more affordable initially. Please refer to Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website for further information.

However, as the Feed in Tariff is guaranteed for a specified period depending on location (see table below), you should be able to generate a guaranteed income from your system for that timeframe as well as adding an asset to the value of your home.

Depending on the system you chose to go ahead with, you could pay off the system within 5 years, in some situations clearing the following 15 years to be a guaranteed source of income for your household.

Feed in Tariffs:

Individual states also have varying feed in tariffs which provides a premium price for the electricity your solar power system exports to the grid.  Below is a table showing different state's feed in tariff arangements.

12. How can I reduce the amount of power in my home so I can buy a smaller grid connected solar system?

You can install any size system you want that suits your home and budget. There are several ways you can reduce the electricity demand in your house. Some easy, cost effective measures include: installing energy efficient light bulbs, low flow shower heads and faucet heads and properly insulating your hot water tank. Further, more expensive measures include upgrading your appliances to 6 star energy rated ones, replacing your windows to double pane glass and possibly replacing your house insulation. You can also install solar water heaters or hot water heat pumps to further reduce your energy demand.

13. Do you provide Solar hot water systems or heat pumps?

No, Powersmart solar specialises solely in the installation of solar photovoltaic systems.

14. Do you install on all types of roofs?

We install on most roof types. Our systems are designed to be mounted to most roofing structures including metal, composite, and clay/concrete tile. Your roof type will dictate the type of mounting we will use on your system install and it will have an effect on the price of your system.

15. Will my roof orientation and roof slope affect my solar system performance? 

The orientation and slope of your roof does matter.  The optimal orientation is facing true north, but east and west facing roof slopes are ok. The optimal roof slope is 30°.  In most cases a roof angle between 10° and 60° is fine to install. Otherwise, we do offer tilt mounting systems to optimise system production. 
Please use the chart below as a guide to better understand the effect of different roof pitches and orientations on system performance.

 
16. What do the solar panels look like on a typical roof?

Take a look at the many images on our website and the Portfolio page to get a better idea. We can usually mount solar panels directly to your roof at its current slope and aspect so they do not change the architectural look of your roof line.  Our solar panels are slightly iridescent with a blue and black colour.

17. If I’m building a new house and the grid is a long way away, should I pay to bring the lines in or install an off-grid system?

Typically it is best to pay for connection to the national grid but it depends on the distance and the total cost to do this.

Being connected to the grid provides you with ‘on demand’ energy but you are at the mercy of the electrical company’s pricing. You would however be able to install a grid connect system that will assist you in recuperating some of the connection costs.  You would then have the benefit of being attached to the electricity grid without the continually rising monthly costs.
Otherwise, an off-grid system can be a more affordable option for your new build. Contact us for an off-grid system quote to compare pricing and see if it would be a more suitable option for you.

18. How much does a solar system cost?

Grid connected solar systems are an investment in your home and will turn a cash expense into an investment with a positive return.  There are very few technical requirements around system sizing, and you can install any system size that suits your home and budget. Please click here if you would like a free quote for a solar power system.

There may also be some inspection and meter transfer costs, (please see table below).

Meter Change Over and Inspection Costs

19. What are the warranties for the panels, inverter and workmanship/installation and who is responsible for the warranties?

•    Powersmart Solar stands by a 5 year complete system warranty;
•    Our systems are specifically designed for 25 year maintenance free life;
•    Components warranty:
•    Solar Panels:

• Our Solar panels come with 5/25 year manufacturer’s/power warranty; 
• The panels will still be producing 80% of their original output after 25 years.
  Suntech Warranty

•    Inverters:

• 5 year parts and labor
• Please note that inverter warranty extension is available up to 25 years for an additional fee. Contact us for further detail.

20. Can solar power systems be insured?

Generally yes they can be insured under your home and contents insurance.  We recommend that you call your insurance company to confirm this before you go ahead with purchasing a system.

21. How much experience do you have as installer?

•    We have installed hundreds of systems in the Australasia region.
•    We are also developing our commercial portfolio:
•    We’re current panel members for the ACT Governments Solar Schools program and have installed numerous systems on their behalf;
•    We’ve also completed a few government projects;
•    See our full portfolio at here>

22. What Australian standards does the inverter meet?

AS4777 – approved inverters list

23. What Australian standards do these panels meet?

IEC61730 – approved for use and rebates by the CEC

24. Do your inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)?

Yes.   All modern grid connect inverters have Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

25. What brand of panels do you install and what is the difference between them?

Suntech and Sunrise

The difference between the two:

• Suntech - is a brand name and is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels in the world
• SunRise - is a new company that is aggressively looking to expand its customer base; they have manufactured panels on the behalf of Suntech and are backed by insurance firm CHUBB.

Physically and electrically they are practically the same, both are:

• 190W mono crystalline – 24V panels
• Size: 1580mm x 808mm x 35mm

Both brands have the same length warranties:

• 10 year limited product warranty
• 25 year performance warranties

Solar panels are the most reliable component in the solar system.  We are confident in recommending both solar modules.  The 190W mono crystalline panel is the most common panel on the market today, should anything happen to one of your panels that is not covered by any warranties or insurance it would be easy to source a similar panel to replace it.  There are no moving parts in the panels and as such they will sit on your roof for over 25 years continuously transforming sunlight into electricity.

26. Does the weight of the panels put too much pressure on the roof?

If you have a concrete foundation and your house is built to the building code then your roof can resist 400kg of weight per meter square.
If you have a wooden framed foundation and your house is built to the building code then your roof can resist 200kg of weight per meter square.

With our panels you do not have to worry about the pressure on your roof:
-     Suntech and Sunrise panels are only 15.5kg per panel and being that the panels are 1.2 meters square each they weight 12.9kg per meter square. 

27. Can the solar panels withstand hail?

When mounted properly Powersmart Solar’s systems are designed to withstand winds up to 125mph (Category 2 hurricanes peak out at 110 mph).

28. Can solar panels resist strong winds?

We expect systems, when mounted properly, to sustain up to 125 mph winds. Category 2 hurricanes peak out at 110 mph, so if you aren't within ~500 km’s of the coast, it is highly unlikely your system will ever sustain wind damage.

29. What is the difference between monocrystalline, multicrystalline (or polycrystalline) and thin film solar modules?
Monocrystalline panels are the most prevalent type of solar technology used by the industry.

• It is proven and the most efficient technology available on the market (70% to 80%).
• Monocrystalline panels are made up of single crystal wafer cells. 
• These require a smaller surface area which is great when you have limited space. 
• Lower Mounting and Balance of system costs compared to thin film.

Multicrystalline are similar to monocrystalline panels but are made from multifaceted silicon crystal.  These usually require a larger surface area as they are traditionally less efficient when converting the sun’s rays.  New technology is diminishing the performance gap between monocrystalline and multicrystalline panels. 

Thin film solar panels are created by applying a thin layer of material with photoelectric properties directly onto flexible materials.

• This process requires much less silicon, which can be a more economical choice but most often is not the case. 
• Thin film panels are less efficient than multicrystalline and monocrystalline panels and therefore require a large surface area
• Thin film degrades faster over time than crystalline panels.

30. What is the difference between kW and kWh?

A kilowatt (kW) is a unit of power, while a kilowatt hour (kWh) is a unit of energy.  The difference is that kilowatt defines how much power a device uses or generates at a given moment and a kilowatt hour defines how much energy that device uses or generates over a given time period.
 

Government Incentives Questions and Answers

1. How do I qualify for the Government rebates?

• You are eligible for REC’s rebate if you are a resident of Australia. For a more detailed description of eligibility, please visit www.orer.gov.au
• Powersmart Solar buys the REC’s from you at the market price (currently $40) and discounts that from the price you pay us. We typically fix the price of RECs on your quote so you know the total out of pocket expense from the start to the finish.
• You can calculate your REC’s earned on www.orer.gov.au

2. What happens with the carbon credits?

Solar power systems in Australia generate Renewable Energy Credits that are tradable on an open, fluctuating market. These credits provide a significant rebate on the cost of a solar power system.

3. What is a FIT (Feed-in Tariff)?

A FIT is a price set for solar power for a system owner who exports excess solar power to the grid. In Australia this price is set by the state Government.

4. What is Net Metering?

Net metering means that your energy retailer will pay you for the electricity generated by your Powersmart grid connected solar system at the same rate you are normally charged for electricity. At the end of each billing period you will either pay a reduced invoiced or receive a credit for the ‘net’ amount. Different energy retailers offer different agreements. If you are having a hard time understanding how these affect you and your solar installation please contact us.

Installation Questions and Answers

1. Is it easy to install?

Yes. Powersmart’s solar systems are designed to be installed with the least amount of labour possible.  The panels are mounted to the roof with a top down design saving time and effort.  All of the associated wiring is pre-wired with quick connectors.  The system is literally ‘plug and play’.  In addition, we have made every effort to make the systems compatible to all types of roof structures in New Zealand and Australia.  Powersmart is usually able to install residential systems according to their size:

-    1 to 3kW within 1 and half days,
-    3kW+ within 2 days.

2. How long does it take from commitment to finalisation and energy production?

The lead time between ordering and installation is 4 to 6 weeks.

The energy production/Commissioning is related to your local utility company’s inspection and assessment , which we administer but can’t control, and usually takes a couple of weeks to finalise.  We notify your utility provider to activate and they come to swap up the meter and, once completed there is a final inspection, once this is completed the solar system can be turned on.

3. Do you need to do a site visit to finalise the quote?

Not necessarily, we can design and model a system that best suits your home by either viewing your roof from Google Earth or from a roof plan.  This will give you an accurate expectation of how your system will be laid out and the power generation of your system.  In some instances, we will require a site visit to confirm the layout can go ahead as designed and that there aren’t any significant shading issues. 

4. Is your meter box suitable?

ACT ONLY - A 600x600 meter box usually has the space required to satisfy the utility requirements for space concerning a meter swap and the installation of a breaker.  If you do not have a 600x600 meter box, your meter box might still be suitable. We will have to confirm this by a site visit or by sending us a picture for our review.

5. Can I keep my current electricity retailer?

Yes. Most energy companies offer metering and billing arrangements that suit grid connected solar systems.

6. Does the mounting system allow airflow under the panels to help cool them?

Yes, there is a 100mm gap which allows airflow.

Owning a solar power system, Questions and Answers

1. Can I still use all of my electrical appliances?

Yes.  With grid connected solar you are still attached to the national electricity grid.  You can use as much power as you need at any given time. 

2. Will I still have power if there is a grid power outage?

In order to comply with the Australian Electrical Code the solar system must automatically disconnect itself from the grid should the grid fail.  This is done in order to protect the workers that need to fix the problem in the power lines.  We can, however, offer a backup battery system that will allow you to power emergency lighting and a few outlets in your house specifically for this purpose.

3. What will my electricity bill / rebate look like?

Your electricity bill will look the same as it did before, but will have an additional section showing the rebate that you have achieved with your grid connected solar system. Depending on your electricity usage and the size of your system you could have a $0 bill or even a credit!.

4. If my system generates exactly the electricity that I use do I have to pay tax on that usage or is it only on the payment for the surplus sold back to the grid that I am taxed?

Neither.  The electricity savings generated by your solar power system are not considered taxable income. 

5. Can I see how much electricity my system is producing?

Yes.  Different inverters provide different levels of monitoring. In addition to the LCD display that are standard with most inverters, Powersmart can provide system monitoring software or a standalone display that will allow you to see how much electricity your system is generating at any time.  Below is a quick rundown on what monitoring different companies provide;

• The Enasolar inverter has WiFi built into it so that you can access system monitoring displays on your PC through your web browser.  This requires that you have a home wireless network to function properly.
• SMA Sunny Boy 2000HF and Sunny Boy 3000 to 10000 TL models have digital display monitoring on the inverter and come with Bluetooth which allows you connect your system with your PC through free software provided by SMA called Sunny Explorer.
• SMA Sunny Boy 1700 has a digital display on the inverter and has the option of adding the SMA Bluetooth piggy back which allows you to download the daily system output from your system onto your computer.
• Sunny Webbox;
  Similar to what Enasolar offers
  Requirements: will need to have an ethernet cable close to the inverter location in order to make the sunny Webbox operational

6. Do the systems require maintenance?

Our systems are designed to last for longer than 25 years, maintenance free.  But you may want to wash the solar panels if they get dusty or covered in pollen so that they continue to produce the maximum amount of electricity.   The panels contain no moving parts and are designed specifically for Australian environments.  Check out our grid connected systems to read more.

7. Could you advise of the potential costs of up-scaling?

Up-scaling is possible but largely depends on the system size that you are looking for.  As a general rule it is harder to expand upon smaller system sizes (1kW to 3kW systems) although not impossible.
Below are a few things you should keep in mind when deciding on your system size with the potential to expand it at a later date:

Inverters
•    Inverter size is the key factor to consider when choosing your system,
•    Smaller inverters have less capability to add on additional panels,

• Over-sizing is possible but again, the smaller the inverter the less the flexibility to upgrade.

•    Medium size inverters ( specifically SMA SB 4000TL and 5000TL) are the most flexible as they are designed with a second MPPT tracker (Maximum power point tracker)

• A second MPPT tracker allows you to:
• Add a different type of panel at a later stage;
• Place panels facing a different direction due to its capacity to accommodate the different voltages generated by the 2 strings of panels.

•    Larger inverters are not all equipped with a second MPPT tracker

• however depending on your system we may just recommend you getting 2 small or medium size inverters  to suit your needs

Panel type
•    If you are going to expand your system, keep in mind that:

• The panel Voltage and Watt rating will need to be relatively similar in order to function properly
• Technology is continually improving, a panel may be discontinued if you wait too long to upgrade – which make it hard to source more of the same.

Location of the panels
•    If you  were to place the extra panels on a different facing roof you will need an inverter with a second MPPT tracker or an separate inverter

Cost
•    Additionally there is the 2nd round of installation costs to take into consideration; this makes most small upgrades uneconomical;

Time & Technology
•    Technology keeps getting better, if you are hoping to expand in the short term then a larger inverter with a plan to upgrade in a short timeframe might suit your needs just fine.
•    If you are looking to wait another year or more we would suggest that you size your current system to suit optimal performance and to install another full inverter/panel set-up at a later date

Our Recommendation
•    If you are choosing between a  number of systems, it is recommended that you make a choice once with no plans to upgrade at a later stage; unless the upgrade will follow in a relatively short timeframe;
•    This will allow your system to perform at its maximum operational output; and,
•    Ultimately, you could consider putting in another independent solar system in addition to the one you already have installed.

8. How long will my system last?

Given that the solar panels make up the bulk of the system cost this is the most important component to consider.  In fact, the solar panels come with a 25 year performance guarantee!  Some solar systems have been in operation for over 40 years and are still in operation today. 

Our philosophy is to design a solar power system that has a lifetime comparable to the solar panels.   That is why our mounting systems are composed of marine grade anodised aluminium (the same as the solar panel frames) and use stainless steel hardware.  The inverter is probably the weakest link in the system and has a design life of around 20 years.